INDOT official in employment talks with firm that does business with state

A top Indiana Department of Transportation official — whose sale of Daviess County land for Interstate 69 prompted an ethics investigation — is in employment talks with an engineering firm that regularly does business with the state.

INDOT's Chief of Staff Troy Woodruff said he's exploring a potential job opportunity with RQAW to become the vice president of transportation for the Indianapolis-based firm, according to a letter to the Indiana State Ethics Commission. Woodruff is requesting the ethics commission's approval of steps he intends to take to avoid conflicts of interest while he remains employed by the state. Those steps would remove him from any matters dealing with RQAW.

Following an investigation by The Indianapolis Star, Gov. Mike Pence in 2013 asked the Inspector General to review the state's purchase of nearly three acres in Daviess County from Woodruff and his family for the I-69 project. The Star alleged Woodruff didn't inform the state he sold land for the project.

Inspector General David Thomas on Monday said under state law, he's not permitted to comment on the case. Pence's office also declined to comment because the investigation is ongoing, according to governor's spokeswoman Kara Brooks.

In 2010, Thomas issued a report that cleared Woodruff on the land sale, stating an investigation by his office showed the INDOT employee and former state lawmaker didn't violate state laws on compensation or conflict of interest.

INDOT is not commenting on Woodruff's request regarding RQAW before Thursday's meeting "out of respect for the work and due process of the ethics commission," according to spokesman Will Wingfield.

Woodruff is asking the ethics commission to approve procedures that would bar him from attending selection review committee meetings, which is responsible for reviewing contracts for INDOT, and transfers the signing of consultant contracts that Woodruff handled as chief of staff to another INDOT official until negotiations have ended with RQAW.

Woodruff also would immediately refer matters on RQAW to another INDOT official if they arise.

According to a state database, RQAW has contracts with the state worth more than $9 million.

Woodruff said he began employment discussions with RQAW in June and told INDOT Commissioner Karl Browning of the potential conflict of interest the next day.